Ice making assembly with chilled reservoir

ABSTRACT

An ice making assembly includes a mold assembly with a mold cavity defined in the mold assembly. The ice making assembly also includes a reservoir in fluid communication with the mold assembly to provide a flow of liquid water to the mold cavity defined in the mold assembly. The ice making assembly further includes a thermally conductive element positioned at least partially in the reservoir. The thermally conductive element receives a flow of chilled air from the sealed system, such that the liquid water in the reservoir is chilled by the chilled air via the thermally conductive element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to ice making appliances,and more particularly to ice making appliances which include a reservoirfor liquid water in fluid communication with one or more additionalcomponents of the ice making appliance, such as a mold assembly and/ormold cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In domestic and commercial applications, ice is often formed as solidcubes, such as crescent cubes or generally rectangular blocks. The shapeof such cubes is often dictated by the container holding water during afreezing process. For instance, an ice maker can receive liquid water,and such liquid water can freeze within the ice maker to form ice cubes.In particular, certain ice makers include a freezing mold that defines aplurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities can be filled withliquid water that stays static within the cavities and can freeze withinthe plurality of cavities to form solid ice cubes. Typical solid cubesor blocks may be relatively small in order to accommodate a large numberof uses, such as temporary cold storage and rapid cooling of liquids ina wide range of sizes.

Although the typical solid cubes or blocks may be useful in a variety ofcircumstances, they may have certain drawbacks. For instance, suchtypical cubes or blocks can be cloudy, e.g., less than fullytransparent, such as partially translucent and partially transparent,due to impurities found within the freezing mold or water. As a result,certain consumers prefer clear ice. In clear ice formation processes,dissolved solids typically found within water (e.g., tap water) areseparated out and essentially pure water freezes to form the clear ice.Since the water in clear ice is purer than that found in typical cloudyice, clear ice is less likely to affect drink flavors.

Additionally or alternatively, typical cubes or blocks may have a sizeor shape that is undesirable in certain conditions. There are certainconditions in which distinct or unique ice shapes may be desirable.Specifically, relatively large or rounded ice billets or gems (e.g.,around two inches in diameter) will melt slower than typical icesizes/shapes. Slow melting of ice may be especially desirable in certainliquors or cocktails. Moreover, such billets or gems may provide aunique or upscale impression for the user.

Accordingly, further improvements in the field of ice making andrefrigerator appliances would be desirable. In particular, it may bedesirable to provide a refrigerator appliance capable of reliably andefficiently producing substantially clear ice billets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeratorappliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet, aliner, a sealed system, and an ice making assembly. The liner isattached to the cabinet and defines an icebox (TB) compartment. Thesealed system is mounted to the cabinet to selectively cool the IBcompartment. The ice making assembly includes a mold assembly with amold cavity defined in the mold assembly. The ice making assembly alsoincludes a reservoir in fluid communication with the mold assembly toprovide a flow of liquid water to the mold cavity defined in the moldassembly. The ice making assembly further includes a thermallyconductive element positioned at least partially in the reservoir. Thethermally conductive element receives a flow of chilled air from thesealed system, such that the liquid water in the reservoir is chilled bythe chilled air via the thermally conductive element.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an ice makingassembly is provided. The ice making assembly includes a mold assemblywith a mold cavity defined in the mold assembly. The ice making assemblyalso includes a reservoir in fluid communication with the mold assemblyto provide a flow of liquid water to the mold cavity defined in the moldassembly. The ice making assembly further includes a thermallyconductive element positioned at least partially in the reservoir. Thethermally conductive element receives a flow of chilled air from thesealed system, such that the liquid water in the reservoir is chilled bythe chilled air via the thermally conductive element.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance accordingto exemplary embodiments of the present subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance ofFIG. 1 with the refrigerator and freezer doors shown in an openposition.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a freezer chamber of the exemplaryrefrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with the freezer doors and storage binsremoved for clarity.

FIG. 4 provides a front elevation view of the exemplary freezer chamberof FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 provides a schematic view of a sealed cooling system of theexemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 provides a front elevation view of an ice making assembly withinan icebox compartment of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 provides a side sectional view of a portion of the ice makingassembly and icebox compartment of the FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 provides a schematic view of an ice making assembly according toexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 provides a bottom perspective view of an ice mold according toexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a water dispensing assemblyaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 provides a top perspective view of an ice building unitaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 provides an elevation view of the exemplary water dispensingassembly of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 provides an exploded perspective view of the exemplary icebuilding unit of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 provides a schematic view of a reservoir of an ice makingassembly and an exemplary thermally conductive element for chillingliquid water in the reservoir according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 15 provides a perspective view of an exemplary thermally conductiveelement according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 provides a perspective view of a portion of another exemplarythermally conductive element according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 17 provides a schematic section view of yet another exemplarythermally conductive element according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 18 provides a schematic view of a reservoir of an ice makingassembly and another exemplary thermally conductive element for chillingliquid water in the reservoir according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 19 provides a schematic view of a reservoir of an ice makingassembly and still another exemplary thermally conductive element forchilling liquid water in the reservoir according to exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Thedetailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer tofeatures in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawingsand description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of thedisclosure. Each example is provided by way of explanation of theinvention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various modifications and variationscan be made in the present invention without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive(i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The phrase “inone embodiment,” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment,although it may.

The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably todistinguish one component from another and are not intended to signifylocation or importance of the individual components. The terms“upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction withrespect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refersto the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream”refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about”include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value.When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms includewithin ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction.For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degreesof vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 102 thatextends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along a vertical direction V,between a first side 108 and a second side 110 along a lateral directionL, and between a front side 112 and a rear side 114 along a transversedirection T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, andtransverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another.

Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items forstorage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food chamber 122positioned at or adjacent top 104 of housing 102 and a freezer chamber124 arranged at or adjacent bottom 106 of housing 102. As such,refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mountrefrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of thepresent disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigeratorappliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance or aside-by-side style refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the descriptionset forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intendedto be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamberconfiguration. Additionally, it should be understood that the ice makingassembly described hereinbelow may be provided in a variety ofappliances, such as a standalone ice making appliance, among numerousother possible examples.

Refrigerator doors 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. Similarly, freezerdoors 130 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectivelyaccessing freezer chamber 124. To prevent leakage of cool air,refrigerator doors 128, freezer doors 130, or housing 102 may define oneor more sealing mechanisms (e.g., rubber gaskets, not shown) at theinterface where the doors 128, 130 meet housing 102. Refrigerator doors128 and freezer doors 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG.1 and in the open configuration in FIG. 2 . It should be appreciatedthat doors having a different style, position, or configuration arepossible and within the scope of the present subject matter.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a dispensing assembly 132 fordispensing liquid water or ice. Dispensing assembly 132 includes adispenser 134 positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion ofrefrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on one of refrigerator doors 128.Dispenser 134 includes a discharging outlet 136 for accessing ice andliquid water. An actuating mechanism 138, shown as a paddle, is mountedbelow discharging outlet 136 for operating dispenser 134. In alternativeexemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used tooperate dispenser 134. For example, dispenser 134 can include a sensor(such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. Acontrol panel 140 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. Forexample, control panel 140 includes a plurality of user inputs (notlabeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensingbutton, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed ornon-crushed ice.

Discharging outlet 136 and actuating mechanism 138 are an external partof dispenser 134 and are mounted in a dispenser recess 142. Dispenserrecess 142 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for auser to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice withoutthe need to bend-over and without the need to open refrigerator doors128. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 142 is positioned ata level that approximates the chest level of a user. According to anexemplary embodiment, the dispensing assembly 132 may receive ice froman icemaker or ice making assembly 300 disposed in a sub-compartment ofthe refrigerator appliance 100 (e.g., icebox compartment 180).

Refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a controller 144. Operationof the refrigerator appliance 100 is regulated by controller 144 that isoperatively coupled to or in operative communication with control panel140. In one exemplary embodiment, control panel 140 may represent ageneral purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In anotherexemplary embodiment, control panel 140 may include input components,such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical orelectro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons,touch pads, or touch screens. Control panel 140 may be in communicationwith controller 144 via one or more signal lines or shared communicationbusses. Control panel 140 provides selections for user manipulation ofthe operation of refrigerator appliance 100. In response to usermanipulation of the control panel 140, controller 144 operates variouscomponents of refrigerator appliance 100. For example, controller 144 isoperatively coupled or in communication with various components of asealed system, as discussed below. Controller 144 may also be incommunication with a variety of sensors, such as, for example, chambertemperature sensors or ambient temperature sensors. Controller 144 mayreceive signals from these temperature sensors that correspond to thetemperature of an atmosphere or air within their respective locations.

In some embodiments, controller 144 includes memory and one or moreprocessing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such asgeneral or special purpose microprocessors operable to executeprogramming instructions or micro-control code associated with operationof refrigerator appliance 100. The memory can represent random accessmemory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. Theprocessor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. Thememory can be a separate component from the processor or can be includedonboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 144 may beconstructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination ofdiscrete analog or digital logic circuitry; such as switches,amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and thelike; to perform control functionality instead of relying uponsoftware).

FIG. 2 provides a front view of refrigerator appliance 100 withrefrigerator doors 128 and freezer doors 130 shown in an open position.According to the illustrated embodiment, various storage components aremounted within fresh food chamber 122 and freezer chamber 124 tofacilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include bins146, drawers 148, and shelves 150 that are mounted within fresh foodchamber 122 or freezer chamber 124. Bins 146, drawers 148, and shelves150 are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages or solidfood items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As anexample, drawers 148 can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables,fruits, or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh fooditems.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 , freezer chamber 124 will be describedaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, cabinet or housing 102 includes an inner liner 160 whichdefines freezer chamber 124. For example, inner liner 160 may be aninjection-molded door liner attached to an inside of housing 102.Insulation (not shown), such as expandable foam can be present betweenhousing 102 and inner liner 160 in order to assist with insulatingfreezer chamber 124. For example, sprayed polyurethane foam may beinjected into a cavity defined between housing 102 and inner liner 160after they are assembled. Freezer doors 130 may be constructed in asimilar manner to assist in insulating freezer chamber 124.

Freezer chamber 124 generally extends between a left wall 162 and aright wall 164 along the lateral direction L, between a bottom wall 166and a top wall 168 along the vertical direction V, and between a chamberopening 170 and a back wall 172 along the transverse direction T. Insome embodiments, refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a mullion176 positioned within freezer chamber 124 to divide freezer chamber 124into a pair of discrete sub-compartments, such as an icebox (IB)compartment 180 and a dedicated freezer (Fz) compartment 182. Accordingto the illustrated embodiment, mullion 176 generally extends betweenchamber opening 170 and back wall 172 along the transverse direction Tand between bottom wall 166 and top wall 168 along the verticaldirection V. In this manner, mullion 176 is generallyvertically-oriented and may split freezer chamber 124 into twoequally-sized compartments 180, 182. Nonetheless, it should beappreciated that mullion 176 may be sized, positioned, and configured inany suitable manner to form separate freezer sub-compartments withinfreezer chamber 124. Moreover, alternative embodiments may be providedwithout any such mullion.

To limit heat transfer between IB compartment 180 and Fz compartment182, mullion 176 may generally be formed from an insulating materialsuch as foam. In addition, to provide structural support, a rigidinjection molded liner or a metal frame may surround the insulatingfoam. According to another exemplary embodiment, mullion 176 may be avacuum insulated panel or may contain a vacuum insulated panel tominimize heat transfer between IB compartment 180 and Fz compartment182. Optionally, inner liner 160 or mullion 176 may include featuressuch as guides or slides to ensure proper positioning, installation, andsealing of mullion 176 within inner liner 160.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a schematic view of an exemplary sealed system190 which may be used to cool freezer chamber 124 will be described.Sealed system 190 is generally configured for executing a vaporcompression cycle for cooling air within refrigerator appliance 100(e.g., within fresh food chamber 122 or freezer chamber 124). Sealedcooling system 190 includes a compressor 192, a condenser 194, anexpansion device 196, and an evaporator 198 connected in fluidcommunication (e.g., in series) with each other and charged with arefrigerant.

During operation of sealed system 190, gaseous refrigerant flows intocompressor 192, which operates to increase the pressure of therefrigerant and motivate refrigerant through sealed system 190. Thiscompression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is loweredby passing the gaseous refrigerant through condenser 194. Withincondenser 194, heat exchange with ambient air takes place so as to coolthe refrigerant and cause the refrigerant to condense to a liquid state.

Expansion device (e.g., an expansion valve, capillary tube, or otherexpansion device) 196 receives liquid refrigerant from condenser 194.From expansion device 196, the liquid refrigerant enters evaporator 198.Upon exiting expansion device 196 and entering evaporator 198, theliquid refrigerant drops in pressure and vaporizes. Due to the pressuredrop and phase change of the refrigerant, evaporator 198 is coolrelative to fresh food and freezer chambers 122 and 124 of refrigeratorappliance 100. As such, cooled air is produced and refrigerates freshfood and freezer chambers 122 and 124 of refrigerator appliance 100.Thus, evaporator 198 is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heatfrom air passing over evaporator 198 to refrigerant flowing throughevaporator 198.

It should be appreciated that the illustrated sealed system 190 is onlyone exemplary configuration of sealed system 190 which may includeadditional components (e.g., one or more additional evaporators,compressors, expansion devices, or condensers). As an example, sealedcooling system 190 may include two evaporators. As a further example,sealed system 190 may further include an accumulator 199. Accumulator199 may be positioned downstream of evaporator 198 and may be configuredto collect condensed refrigerant from the refrigerant stream prior topassing it to compressor 192.

Referring again generally to FIGS. 3 and 4 , in some embodiments,evaporator 198 is positioned adjacent back wall 172 of inner liner 160.The remaining components of sealed system 190 may be located within amachinery compartment 200 of refrigerator appliance 100. A conduit 202may pass refrigerant into freezer chamber 124 to evaporator 198 througha fluid tight inlet and may pass refrigerant from evaporator 198 out offreezer chamber 124 through a fluid tight outlet.

According to the illustrated embodiments, evaporator 198 includes afirst evaporator section 204 and a second evaporator section 206. Firstevaporator section 204 and second evaporator section 206 are connectedin series such that refrigerant passes first through first evaporatorsection 204 before second evaporator section 206. More specifically,according to the illustrated embodiment, first evaporator section 204and second evaporator section 206 are coupled by a transition tube 208.Transition tube 208 may be a separate connecting conduit or a part ofthe same tube forming evaporator 198. As illustrated, first evaporatorsection 204 is positioned within IB compartment 180 and secondevaporator section 206 is positioned within Fz compartment 182. In thisregard, transition tube 208 may pass through an aperture in mullion 176.

An evaporator cover may be placed over evaporator 198 to form anevaporator chamber with inner liner 160. For example, as illustrated, afirst evaporator cover 220 is positioned within IB compartment 180 overevaporator 198, or more specifically, over first evaporator section 204.In this manner, inner liner 160, mullion 176, and first evaporator cover220 define a first evaporator chamber 222 which houses first evaporatorsection 204. Similarly, a second evaporator cover 224 is positionedwithin Fz compartment 182 over evaporator 198, or more specifically,over second evaporator section 206. In this manner, inner liner 160,mullion 176, and second evaporator cover 224 define a second evaporatorchamber 226 which houses second evaporator section 206.

Evaporator chambers 222, 226 may include one or more return ducts andsupply ducts to allow air to circulate to and from IB compartment 180and Fz compartment 182 (e.g., along one or more air paths). In exemplaryembodiments, first evaporator cover 220 defines one or more first returnducts 230 for allowing air to enter first evaporator chamber 222 and oneor more first supply ducts 232 for exhausting air out of firstevaporator chamber 222 into IB compartment 180 (e.g., along a first airpath 250). Additionally or alternatively, second evaporator cover 224may define one or more second return ducts 234 for allowing air to entersecond evaporator chamber 226 and one or more second supply ducts 236for exhausting air out of second evaporator chamber 226 into Fzcompartment 182 (e.g., along a second air path 252). According to theillustrated embodiment, a first return duct 230 and a second return duct234 are positioned proximate a bottom of freezer chamber 124 (e.g.,proximate bottom wall 166) and a first supply duct 232 and a secondsupply duct 236 are positioned proximate a top of freezer chamber 124(e.g., proximate top wall 168). It should be appreciated, however, thataccording to alternative embodiments, any other suitable means forproviding fluid communication between the evaporator chambers and thefreezer compartments are possible and within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Refrigerator appliance 100 may include one or more fans to assist incirculating air through evaporator 198 and chilling freezer compartments180, 182. For example, according to the illustrated exemplary embodimentrefrigerator appliance 100 includes a first fan 240 in fluidcommunication with first evaporator chamber 222 for urging air throughfirst evaporator chamber 222. Optionally, first fan 240 may be an axialfan positioned within a first supply duct 232 for urging chilled airfrom first evaporator chamber 222 into IB compartment 180 through afirst supply duct 232 while recirculating air through a first returnduct 230 back into first evaporator chamber 222 to be re-cooled.Additionally or alternatively, refrigerator appliance 100 may include asecond fan 242 in fluid communication with second evaporator chamber 226for urging air through second evaporator chamber 226. Optionally, secondfan 242 may be an axial fan positioned within a second supply duct 236for circulating air between second evaporator chamber 226 and Fzcompartment 182, as described above.

Turning especially to FIGS. 6 through 8 , an ice making assembly 300 maybe mounted within IB compartment 180. Generally, ice making assembly 300includes a mold assembly 310 that defines a mold cavity 318 within whichan ice billet 320 may be formed. Optionally, a plurality of moldcavities 318 may be defined by mold assembly 310 (e.g., as discrete orconnected ice building units 312) and spaced apart from each other(e.g., perpendicular to the vertical direction V, such as along thelateral direction L). Generally, mold assembly 310 may be positionedalong the air path 250 within IB compartment 180 between a supply duct232 and a return duct 230. In some such embodiments, mold assembly 310is vertically positioned between supply duct 232 and return duct 230.

As will be described in further detail below, mold assembly 310 mayfurther include a thermal electric heat exchanger (TEHE) mounted thereon(e.g., in conductive thermal communication with each discrete icebuilding unit 312). Generally, TEHE 348 may be any suitable solid state,electrically-driven heat exchanger, such as a Peltier device. TEHE 348may include a first heat exchange end and a second heat exchange end.When activated, heat may be selectively directed between the ends. Inparticular, a heat flux created between the junction of the ends maydraw heat from one end to the other end (e.g., as driven by anelectrical current). In some embodiments, TEHE 348 is operably coupled(e.g., electrically coupled) to a controller 144, which may thus controlthe flow of current to TEHE 348. During use, TEHE 348 may selectivelydraw heat from mold cavity 318, as will be further described below.

A water dispenser 314 positioned below mold assembly 310 may generallyact to selectively direct the flow of water into mold cavity 318.Generally, water dispenser 314 includes a water pump 322 and at leastone nozzle 324 directed (e.g., vertically) toward mold cavity 318. Inembodiments wherein multiple discrete mold cavities 318 are defined bymold assembly 310, water dispenser 314 may include a plurality ofnozzles 324 or fluid pumps vertically aligned with the plurality moldcavities 318. For instance, each mold cavity 318 may be verticallyaligned with a discrete nozzle 324.

In some embodiments, a water basin or reservoir 316 is positioned belowthe ice mold 340 (e.g., directly beneath mold cavity 318 along thevertical direction V). Reservoir 316 includes a solid nonpermeable bodyand may define a vertical opening and interior volume 328 in fluidcommunication with mold cavity 318. When assembled, fluids, such asexcess water falling from mold cavity 318, may pass into interior volume328 of reservoir 316 through the vertical opening. Optionally, a drainconduit may be connected to reservoir 316 to draw collected water fromthe reservoir 316 and out of IB compartment.

In certain embodiments, a guide ramp 330 is positioned between moldassembly 310 and reservoir 316 along the vertical direction V. Forexample, guide ramp 330 may include a ramp surface that extends at anegative angle (e.g., relative to a horizontal direction, such as thetransverse direction T) from a location beneath mold cavity 318 toanother location spaced apart from reservoir 316 (e.g., horizontally).In some such embodiments, guide ramp 330 extends to or terminates abovean ice bin 332 (e.g., within IB compartment 180). Optionally, guide ramp330 may define a perforated portion that is, for example, verticallyaligned between mold cavity 318 and nozzle 324 or between mold cavity318 and interior volume 328. One or more apertures are generally definedthrough guide ramp 330 at perforated portion. Fluids, such as water, maythus generally pass through perforated portion of guide ramp 330 (e.g.,along the vertical direction V between mold cavity 318 and interiorvolume 328).

In exemplary embodiments, ice bin 332 generally defines a storage volume336 and may be positioned below mold assembly 310 and mold cavity 318.Ice billets 320 formed within mold cavity 318 may be expelled from moldassembly 310 and subsequently stored within storage volume 336 of icebin 332 (e.g., within IB compartment 180). In some such embodiments, icebin 332 is positioned within IB compartment 180 and horizontally spacedapart from water dispenser 314 or mold assembly 310. Guide ramp 330 mayspan a horizontal distance above or to ice bin 332 (e.g., from moldassembly). As ice billets 320 descend or fall from mold cavity 318, theice billets 320 may thus be motivated (e.g., by gravity) toward ice bin322.

As shown, controller 144 may be in communication (e.g., electricalcommunication) with one or more portions of ice making assembly 300. Insome embodiments, controller 144 is in communication with one or morefluid pumps (e.g., water pump 322), TEHE 348, and fan 240. Controller144 may be configured to initiate discrete ice making operations and icerelease operations. For instance, controller 144 may alternate the fluidsource spray to mold cavity 318 and a release or ice harvest process,which will be described in more detail below.

During ice making operations, controller 144 may initiate or directwater dispenser 314 to motivate an ice-building spray (e.g., asindicated at arrows 346) through nozzle 324 and into mold cavity 318(e.g., a through mold opening at the bottom end of mold cavity 318).Controller 144 may further direct fan 240 to motivate a chilled airflow(e.g., from sealed system 190, such as evaporator section 204 thereof,along the air path 250) to convectively draw heat from within moldcavity 318 during the ice building spray 346. As the water from theice-building spray 346 strikes mold assembly 310 within mold cavity 318,a portion of the water may freeze in progressive layers from top end 344to a bottom end of mold cavity 318. Excess water (e.g., water withinmold cavity 318 that does not freeze upon contact with mold assembly 310or the frozen volume therein) and impurities within the ice-buildingspray 346 may fall from mold cavity 318 and, for example, to reservoir316. After an initial portion of ice has formed within the mold cavity318, controller 144 may activate the TEHE 348 to further draw heat fromthe ice mold cavity 318, thereby accelerating freezing of ice billet320, notably, without requiring a significant power draw.

Once an ice billet 320 is formed within mold cavity 318, an ice releaseor harvest process may be performed in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. For instance, fan 240 may be restricted orhalted to slow/stop the active chilled airflow. Moreover, controller 144may first halt or prevent the ice-building spray 346 by de-energizingwater pump 322. Additionally or alternatively, an electrical current tothe TEHE 348 may be reversed such that heat is delivered to mold cavity318 from TEHE 348. Thus, controller 144 may slowly increase atemperature TEHE 348 and ice mold 340, thereby facilitating partialmelting or release of ice billets 320 from mold cavities 318.

Turning now especially to FIGS. 9, 11, and 13 , ice mold 340 may includea top wall 344 and a plurality of sidewalls 350 that are cantileveredfrom top wall 344 and extend downward from top wall 344. Morespecifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, ice mold 340includes eight sidewalls 350 that include an angled portion 352 thatextends away from top wall 344 and a vertical portion 354 that extendsdown from angled portion 352 substantially along the vertical direction.In this manner, the top wall 344 and the plurality of sidewalls 350 forma mold cavity 318 having an octagonal cross-section when viewed in ahorizontal plane. In addition, each of the plurality of sidewalls 350may be separated by a gap 358 that extends substantially along thevertical direction V. In this manner, the plurality of sidewalls 350 maymove relative to each other and act as spring fingers to permit someflexing of ice mold 340 during ice formation. Notably, this flexibilityof ice mold 340 facilitates improved ice formation and reduces thelikelihood of cracking.

In general, ice mold 340 may be formed from any suitable material and inany suitable manner that provides sufficient thermal conductivity totransfer heat to the surrounding environment and TEHE 348 to facilitatethe ice making process. According to an exemplary embodiment, ice mold340 is formed from a single sheet of copper. In this regard, forexample, a flat sheet of copper having a constant thickness may bemachined to define top wall 344 and sidewalls 350. Sidewalls 350 may besubsequently bent to form the desired shape of mold cavity 318 (e.g.,such as the octagonal or gem shape described above). In this manner, topwall 344 and sidewalls 350 may be formed to have an identical thicknesswithout requiring complex and costly machining processes.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, TEHE 348is mounted in direct contact with the top wall 344 of ice mold 340. Inaddition, TEHE 348 may not be in direct contact with sidewalls 350. Thismay be desirable, for example, to prevent restricting the movement ofsidewalls 350 (e.g., to reduce to the likelihood of ice cracking).Notably, when TEHE 348 is mounted only on top wall 344, the conductivepath to each of the plurality of sidewalls 350 is through the joint orconnection where sidewalls 350 meet top wall 344.

In addition, to improve the thermal contact between TEHE 348 and icemold 340, it may be desirable to make top wall 344 relatively large.Therefore, according to exemplary embodiments, top wall 344 may define atop width 362 and mold cavity 318 may define a max width 364. Accordingto exemplary embodiments, top width 362 is greater than about 50% of maxwidth 364. According to still other embodiments, top width 362 may begreater than about 60%, greater than about 70%, greater than about 80%,or greater, of max width 364. In addition, or alternatively, top width362 may be less than 90%, less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%,or less, of max width 364. It should be appreciated that other suitablesizes, geometries, and configurations of ice mold 340 are possible andwithin the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring especially to FIGS. 11 and 13 , a discrete TEHE 348 may bedisposed on each discrete ice building unit 312 above the correspondingmold cavity 318. In some embodiments, a finned heat sink 360 is providedin thermal communication with a corresponding TEHE 348. Specifically,finned heat sink 360 may be mounted in conductive thermal communicationto contact TEHE 348. Finned heat sink 360 may include any suitableconductive material, such as an aluminum or copper material (e.g.,including alloys thereof).

As shown, fins may extend above or horizontally from TEHE 348 toexchange heat with air along the air path 250. In some such embodiments,a conductive recess plate 370 is further provided (e.g., below finnedheat sink 360). When assembled, conductive recess plate 370 may houseTEHE 348 (e.g., within a recess or pocket of conductive recess plate370). For instance, conductive recess plate 370 may horizontally boundTEHE 348 while top wall 344 and finned heat sink 360 vertically boundTEHE 348. Moreover, conductive recess plate 370 may be fixed to one ormore of the ice building molds 340. In turn, conductive recess plate 370may provide a structure or surface onto which finned heat sink 360 maybe mounted or secured (e.g., via one or more mechanical fasteners,adhesives etc.). In optional embodiments, an insulator plate 372 (e.g.,formed from an insulating foam or polymer) is disposed betweenconductive recess plate 370 and the finned heat sink 360 above TEHE 348.Notably, heat may be focused to finned heat sink 360 from TEHE 348.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 10 and 12 , an exemplary waterdispenser assembly 314, including a dispenser base 368 and one or moreremovable spray caps 374, that may be used with ice making assembly 300will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Specifically, for example, dispenser base 368 and spray cap374 may be used as (or as part of) guide ramp 330 and nozzle 324 (e.g.,FIG. 8 ), respectively. Thus, water dispenser 366 may be positionedbelow (e.g., directly below) the ice mold 340 to direct an ice-buildingspray of water to the mold cavity 318. Although two discrete spray caps374 are illustrated to provide a corresponding number of ice-buildingsprays to ice molds thereabove, any suitable number of spray caps (andthus corresponding ice building units 312) may be provided, as would beunderstood in light of the present disclosure.

As shown, the dispenser base 368 generally defines one or more waterpaths 378 through which water may flow to a corresponding spray cap 374.For instance, one or more conduits 376 may be provided to or beneathspray cap 374 and define water path 378 Thus, water path 378 may beupstream from the spray cap 374. Moreover, when assembled water path 378may be upstream from pump 322 (FIG. 8 ), as would be understood in lightof the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the conduits 376 of dispenser base 368 are joinedto a support deck 380 (e.g., as discrete or, alternatively, integralunitary member) on which spray cap 374 is selectively received. Supportdeck 380 may define a guide ramp 382 having a ramp surface that extendsat a non-vertical angle θN (e.g., negative angle relative to ahorizontal direction) from an upper edge 384 to a lower edge 386. Whenassembled the ice mold 340 (e.g., FIGS. 9 and 11 ) may be verticallyaligned below support deck 380 between the upper edge 384 and the loweredge 386 such that falling ice billets may strike guide ramp 382 androll therealong (e.g., as motivated by gravity) to the lower edge 386.From the lower edge 386, ice billets may further roll into an ice bin(e.g., 332—FIG. 2 ), as described above. Optionally, guide ramp 382 maydefine a perforated portion, as further described above. Alternatively,guide ramp 382 may define a solid, non-permeable guide surface.

In certain embodiments, support deck 380 includes a cup wall 388 thatdefines a nozzle recess 390 within which a corresponding spray cap 374is received. For instance, cup wall 388 may extend from or above conduit376 such that nozzle recess 390 is defined as a vertically-open cavitythrough which the ice-building may flow. As shown, cup wall 388 andnozzle recess 390 may be positioned between upper edge 384 and loweredge 386. When assembled, nozzle recess 390 may thus be defined beneathor below at least a portion of guide ramp 382. For instance, a bottomsurface of cup wall 388 may extend horizontally from the ramp surface ofguide ramp 382 towards upper edge 384. In other words, the bottomsurface of cup wall 388 may extend away from lower edge 386 and fail tocross a forward plane defined by the ramp surface along the non-verticalangle N. The resulting nozzle recess 390 may, in turn, have a sideprofile that is shaped as a right triangle (e.g., enclosed within thetriangular side profile of support deck 380).

Generally, nozzle recess 390 defines a horizontal profile having one ormore horizontal maximums. For instance, in the illustrated embodiments,nozzle recess 390 defines a lateral maximum LM and a transverse maximumTM that is larger than the lateral maximum LM. Alternative embodimentsmay have a circular profile and, thus, a single horizontal maximum ordiameter. In certain embodiments, the maximum horizontal recess width(i.e., largest horizontal maximum of nozzle recess 390, such as lateralmaximum LM) is smaller than a maximum horizontal mold width MM (FIGS. 5and 6 ) of mold cavity 318 (e.g., 364). In other words, the maximumhorizontal mold width MM, which at least partially defines ice billetsformed therein, is larger than the maximum horizontal recess width ofnozzle recess 390. Thus, the ice billets formed in (and released from)ice mold 340 are generally larger than the opening to nozzle recess 390.

In optional embodiments, the maximum horizontal mold width MM is atleast 50 percent larger than the maximum horizontal recess width (e.g.,lateral maximum LM). In additional or alternative embodiments, themaximum horizontal recess width (e.g., lateral maximum LM) is less orequal to than 1.5 inches. In further additional or alternativeembodiments, the maximum horizontal mold width MM is greater than orequal to 3 inches. In still further additional or alternativeembodiments, the maximum horizontal mold width MM is about 1.5 incheswhile the maximum horizontal recess width is about 3 inches.

Advantageously, ice billets may be prevented from falling into nozzlerecess 390 or otherwise blocking the ice-building spray from spray cap374.

As shown, spray cap 374 may be positioned on at least a portion ofdispenser base 368 (e.g., within nozzle recess 390). Specifically, spraycap 374 is mountable downstream from water path 378 to direct anice-building spray therefrom (e.g., along a vertical spray axis Atowards a corresponding mold cavity 318—FIGS. 4 and 6 ). Generally,spray cap 374 includes a nozzle head 392 through which one or moreoutlet apertures 394 are defined. In particular, spray cap 374 extendsacross the vertical spray axis A while the outlet apertures 394 extendupward through spray cap 374. As water flows from the water path 378, itmay thus flow through the outlet apertures 394 as the ice-buildingspray.

The ice making assembly 300 described above is provided by way ofexample. Aspects of the present disclosure may also be usable with anyice making assembly including a water reservoir, such as a billet icemaker with only one mold cavity, or more than two mold cavities, or anugget ice maker, or an ice maker with a vertical mold over which liquidwater is cascaded to form ice, or any other suitable ice making assemblywith a reservoir, especially where the formation of clear ice isdesired. Additionally, the ice making assembly may be provided in astandalone ice maker appliance, or in any suitable chilled chamber orcompartment within a refrigerator appliance, such as in an iceboxcompartment as described above, an in-door icebox compartment, or in afresh food storage compartment.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-19 , the reservoir 316 may be chilled, e.g.,the ice making assembly 300 may include a thermally conductive element400 positioned at least partially in the reservoir 316, e.g., such thatat least a portion of the thermally conductive element 400 extends intothe internal volume 328 of the reservoir 316, e.g., in direct contactwith liquid water stored therein such that the thermally conductiveelement 400 is in conductive thermal communication with the liquidwater. The thermally conductive element 400 may be positioned andconfigured to receive a flow of chilled air from the sealed system 190,e.g., a portion of the chilled air generated by sealed system 190, suchas from the evaporator section(s) 204 and/or 206 thereof, may pass on,over, around, and/or through the thermally conductive element 400. As aresult of this flow of chilled air received by the thermally conductiveelement, the liquid water in the internal volume 328 of the reservoir316 may be chilled by the chilled air via the thermally conductiveelement 400. The thermally conductive element 400 may comprise anysuitable thermally conductive material, such as a metallic material,such as copper and alloys thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 , the reservoir 316 may be positioned in aseparate compartment from the freezer chamber 124, such as in the iceboxcompartment 180, fresh food chamber 122, or other suitable portion ofthe refrigerator appliance 100, as mentioned above. Thus, the reservoir316 may be separated from the freezer chamber 124 by one of thethermally insulated walls thereof, such as top wall 168 as indicated inFIG. 14 . The thermally conductive element 400 may extend through theinsulated wall, e.g., top wall 168, to provide thermal communicationbetween the freezer chamber 124 and the reservoir 316. In additionalembodiments, the thermally conductive element 400 may extend into a ductto receive the flow of chilled air from the sealed system 190, such as aduct downstream of the sealed system 190, such as one of the supplyducts 232 or 236 described above, whereby the thermally conductiveelement 400 provides thermal communication between the sealed system 190and the reservoir 316 through at least the wall(s) of the duct. Thus,the thermally conductive element 400 may provide chilling of the liquidwater within the reservoir 316 without the chilled air from the sealedsystem 190 entering the reservoir 316, such as the internal volume 328thereof, or the compartment in which the reservoir 316 is positionedand/or without the chilled air from the sealed system 190 otherwisedirectly contacting the reservoir 316 or liquid water therein, therebyproviding cooling to the liquid water in the reservoir 316.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 14-17 , the thermallyconductive element 400 may be generally cylindrical, e.g., the thermallyconductive element 400 may be a cylindrical element extending from afirst end 402 positioned in the reservoir 316 to a second end 404positioned in direct contact with the flow of chilled air from thesealed system, such as the second end 404 may be positioned in thefreezer chamber 124 or a duct downstream of the sealed system 190, suchas one of the supply ducts, as mentioned above, whereby at least aportion of the chilled air from the sealed system 190 that flows intothe freezer chamber 124 and/or through the duct 232 or 236 will alsoflow on, over, and/or around the second end 404 of the thermallyconductive element 400.

The cylindrical thermally conductive element 400 may be a solid rod,e.g., a solid copper rod, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 14 and 15. The cylindrical thermally conductive element 400 may be a hollow tube.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17 , the hollow tube thermallyconductive element 400 may contain a working fluid therein, e.g., in aheat pipe heat exchanger, as described in more detail below.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17 , the thermallyconductive element 400 may include fins 406 on the second end 404thereof. The fins 406 may provide increased surface area (as compared toa smooth cylinder or other shape without fins) for contact with the flowof chilled air from the sealed system 190, thereby increasing the rateof thermal transfer to the chilled air from the thermally conductiveelement 400, resulting in increased and/or faster chilling of the liquidwater in the reservoir 316.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15 , the fins 406 may be provided bya plurality of turns of a helical thread formed on and adjacent to thesecond end 404 of the thermally conductive element 400. For example, thehelical thread may extend over approximately one half of a longitudinaldimension of the thermally conductive element 400, where the half orother portion of the thermally conductive element 400 over which thefins 406 extend is the same portion of the thermally conductive element400 in which the second end 404 is defined. The helical thread 406 maybe subtractively formed, e.g., defined by a recess in a primary surfaceof the thermally conductive element 400, for example as illustrated inFIG. 15 .

As another example, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 16 , the fins 406 maybe formed as a series of radial projections extending outward from theprimary surface of the thermally conductive element 400. Alsoillustrated in FIG. 16 is an exemplary temperature sensor 410, e.g.,thermocouple, which may be provided in various embodiments of thepresent disclosure (e.g., the temperature sensor 410 may be provided inany of the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 14-19 and is not limited tothe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 ). In embodiments where thetemperature sensor 410 is provided, the temperature sensor 410 may becommunicatively coupled to the controller 144 for monitoring atemperature of the thermally conductive element 400.

In some embodiments, the thermally conductive element 400 may be a heatpipe heat exchanger, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 17 . A heat pipe heatexchanger, also referred to herein as a “heat pipe,” is an efficientmeans of transferring thermal energy, e.g., heat, from one location toanother.

As shown in FIG. 17 , the heat pipe 400 (which is an embodiment of athermally conductive element 400) includes a sealed casing 412containing a working fluid 414 in the casing 412. In variousembodiments, the working fluid 414 may be any suitable working fluidsuch as R600 series refrigerants, e.g., R600 or R600a (butane orisobutane), R290 refrigerant (propane), acetone, glycol, methanol,ethanol, or toluene. In other embodiments, any suitable fluid may beused for working fluid 414, e.g., that is compatible with the materialof the casing 412 and is suitable for the desired operating temperaturerange. For example, the desired operating temperature range (in anyembodiment, not limited to the heat pipe embodiment illustrated in FIG.17 ) may be such that the liquid water in the reservoir 316 is chilledto a temperature at or just above freezing, e.g., about 32° Fahrenheit.The heat pipe 400 extends between a condenser section at the second end404 and an evaporator section at the first end 402. The working fluid414 contained within the casing 412 of the heat pipe 400 absorbs thermalenergy at the evaporator section at the first end 402, e.g., from theliquid water in the reservoir 316, whereupon the working fluid 414travels in a gaseous state from the evaporator section at first end 402to the condenser section at second end 404. The gaseous working fluid414 condenses to a liquid state at the second end 404 (as illustrated inFIG. 17 ) and thereby releases thermal energy at the condenser sectionat the second end 404, e.g., to the flow of chilled air from the sealedsystem 190 in the freezer chamber 124 or duct 232 or 236. A plurality offins 406 may be provided on an exterior surface of the casing 412, e.g.,the condenser section at second end 404. As described above, such fins406 may provide an increased contact area between the heat pipe 400 andchilled air flowing around the second end 404 of the heat pipe 400 forimproved transfer of thermal energy.

The heat pipe 400 may include an internal wick structure 416 totransport liquid working fluid 414 from the condenser section at thesecond end 404 to the evaporator section at the first end 402 bycapillary flow. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17 , the heat pipe400 may be arranged such that the evaporator section is positioned abovethe condenser section along the vertical direction V, whereby condensedworking fluid 414 in a liquid state may be drawn upwards from thecondenser section at second end 404 to the evaporator section at firstend 402 by the capillary action of the wick structure 416. For example,when the reservoir 316 is positioned in the fresh food chamber 122 abovethe freezer chamber 124, the evaporator section of the heat pipe 400 maybe positioned above the condenser section.

In other embodiments, the heat pipe 400 may be oriented in otherdirections, such as generally perpendicular to the vertical direction V,e.g., generally along the lateral direction L, e.g., when the reservoir316 is positioned in a compartment such as the icebox compartment 180that is horizontally aligned with the freezer chamber 124 (see, e.g.,FIG. 3 ). Moreover, in embodiments where the reservoir 316 is below atleast a portion of the freezer chamber 124 or duct in which the secondend 404 is positioned, the heat pipe 400 may be oriented such that theevaporator section at the first end 402 is below the condenser sectionat the second end 404, such as directly below (e.g., the inverse of theposition illustrated in FIG. 17 ) or directly below and horizontallyoffset from (e.g., at an oblique angle to the vertical direction V),whereby condensed working fluid 414 in a liquid state may return to theevaporator section from the condenser section by gravity, thuspermitting the wick structure 416 to be eliminated.

In some embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 , thethermally conductive element 400 may be positioned entirely within thereservoir 316. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive element 400may define an internal volume, such as a pocket, e.g., in FIG. 18 , or achannel, e.g., in FIG. 19 . In such embodiments, the internal volume ofthe thermally conductive element 400 may be in fluid communication withthe sealed system 190 such that the flow of chilled air from the sealedsystem 180 flows into the internal volume of the thermally conductiveelement 400 to chill the liquid water in the reservoir 316.

For example, in some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 18 , thethermally conductive element 400 may comprise one or more walls thatextend into the internal volume 328 of the reservoir 316. In suchembodiments, the wall(s) of the thermally conductive element 400 maythereby define a single open cavity 418. For example, in suchembodiments, the thermally conductive element 400 may include only thesingle open cavity 418 and no other openings or passages therein. Thesingle open cavity 418 may be positioned and configured to receive theflow of chilled air 1000 from, e.g., the freezer chamber 124, through anaperture 169 defined in a wall, such as top wall 168 in the illustratedexample embodiment of FIG. 18 . Thus, the chilled air 1000 may be inthermal communication with liquid water within the internal volume 328of the reservoir 316 via the thermally conductive element 400, wherebyheat from the liquid water may be transferred to the chilled air 1000through the thermally conductive element 400 and thus the liquid watermay be chilled.

In additional exemplary embodiments, the thermally conductive element400 may be a duct, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 19 . The duct 400 (whichis an exemplary embodiment of the thermally conductive element 400) mayextend from an inlet to an outlet. The inlet of the duct 400 may be influid communication with the sealed system 190 whereby the inletreceives the flow of chilled air 1000 from the sealed system 190 via afirst aperture 169 in the wall, e.g., wall 168. The outlet of duct 400may be in fluid communication with the sealed system 190 whereby areturn flow of air (also denoted 1000 in FIG. 19 , at the arrow leadingback to freezer chamber 124) to the sealed system 190 flows from theduct 400 at the outlet via a second aperture 169. For example, the flowof chilled air 1000 may be motivated through the duct 400 by a fan, suchas fan 240 (FIG. 4 ) described above.

Reducing the heat of, e.g., chilling, the liquid water in the reservoir316 may provide numerous advantages. For example, in embodiments wherethe ice making assembly 300 include a TEHE such as TEHE 248 (FIG. 13 )described above, the TEHE may be cooled by liquid water from thereservoir 316. Although such cooling may advantageously improve theperformance and/or increase the usable life of the TEHE, the resultantwarming of the liquid water may also impede or delay ice formation.Thus, chilling the liquid water in the reservoir with a thermallyconductive element 400 as described herein may permit cooling of a TEHEwith water from the reservoir 316 without sacrificing ice buildingperformance.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet; aliner attached to the cabinet, the liner defining a chilled compartment;a sealed system mounted to the cabinet to selectively cool the chilledcompartment; and an ice making assembly, the ice making assemblycomprising a mold assembly; a mold cavity defined in the mold assembly;a reservoir in fluid communication with the mold assembly to provide aflow of liquid water to the mold cavity defined in the mold assembly;and a thermally conductive element positioned at least partially in thereservoir, the thermally conductive element positioned and configured toreceive a flow of chilled air from the sealed system, whereby the liquidwater in the reservoir is chilled by the chilled air via the thermallyconductive element.
 2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, whereinthe thermally conductive element comprises a cylindrical elementextending from a first end positioned in the reservoir to a second endpositioned in direct contact with the flow of chilled air from thesealed system.
 3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, furthercomprising a freezer compartment defined in the liner, wherein thesecond end of the thermally conductive element is positioned in thefreezer compartment.
 4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, whereinthe second end of the thermally conductive element is positioned in aduct downstream of the sealed system.
 5. The refrigerator appliance ofclaim 2, wherein the thermally conductive element comprises fins at thesecond end.
 6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein thethermally conductive element comprises a solid rod.
 7. The refrigeratorappliance of claim 2, wherein the thermally conductive element comprisesa heat pipe heat exchanger.
 8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1,wherein the thermally conductive element defines an internal volume influid communication with the sealed system whereby the flow of chilledair from the sealed system flows into the internal volume of thethermally conductive element to chill the liquid water in the reservoir.9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, wherein the internal volume ofthe thermally conductive element comprises a single open cavitypositioned and configured to receive the flow of chilled air.
 10. Therefrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductiveelement comprises a duct extending from an inlet in fluid communicationwith the sealed system whereby the inlet receives the flow of chilledair from the sealed system to an outlet in fluid communication with thesealed system whereby a return flow of air to the sealed system flowsfrom the duct at the outlet.
 11. An ice making assembly, comprising: amold assembly; a mold cavity defined in the mold assembly; a reservoirin fluid communication with the mold assembly to provide a flow ofliquid water to the mold cavity defined in the mold assembly; and athermally conductive element positioned at least partially in thereservoir, the thermally conductive element positioned and configured toreceive a flow of chilled air from a sealed system, whereby the liquidwater in the reservoir is chilled by the chilled air via the thermallyconductive element.
 12. The ice making assembly of claim 11, wherein thethermally conductive element comprises a cylindrical element extendingfrom a first end positioned in the reservoir to a second end positionedin direct contact with the flow of chilled air from the sealed system.13. The ice making assembly of claim 12, wherein the second end of thethermally conductive element is positioned in a chilled food storagecompartment.
 14. The ice making assembly of claim 12, wherein the secondend of the thermally conductive element is positioned in a ductdownstream of the sealed system.
 15. The ice making assembly of claim12, wherein the thermally conductive element comprises fins at thesecond end.
 16. The ice making assembly of claim 12, wherein thethermally conductive element comprises a solid rod.
 17. The ice makingassembly of claim 12, wherein the thermally conductive element comprisesa heat pipe heat exchanger.
 18. The ice making assembly of claim 11,wherein the thermally conductive element defines an internal volume influid communication with the sealed system whereby the flow of chilledair from the sealed system flows into the internal volume of thethermally conductive element to chill the liquid water in the reservoir.19. The ice making assembly of claim 18, wherein the internal volume ofthe thermally conductive element comprises a single open cavitypositioned and configured to receive the flow of chilled air.
 20. Theice making assembly of claim 11, wherein the thermally conductiveelement comprises a duct extending from an inlet in fluid communicationwith the sealed system whereby the inlet receives the flow of chilledair from the sealed system to an outlet in fluid communication with thesealed system whereby a return flow of air to the sealed system flowsfrom the duct at the outlet.